Promised (The Promised Series)

little square box out of his jacket pocket and sets it on the seat between us. “It’s nothing major and I don’t expect you to get me anything in return.”
    I stare at the box for several long, drawn out moments before I pull out an almost identical square box and set it beside the one he’d placed between us.
    “I got you one too.” I tell him shyly, looking at the presents so I don’t have to make eye contact.
    I sneak a glance at him and see that he’s eyeing the presents also.
    “Umm…maybe we should open them.” He suggests after clearing his throat.
    “Ok.” I answer hesitantly then ask. “Should one of us go first?”
    “We should open them together.”
    I nod in response and then I pick up the little box. I watch Linc mimic my action and then he carefully begins unwrapping his present. We said we’d open them together, but once he gets started, I can’t take my eyes off him. I want to see his reaction. It’s the best part of giving a gift because good or bad, a person can’t hide their honest opinion of the item in those first few seconds after opening it.
    The last of the wrapping paper falls free from the box and he lifts the little hinged lid. He stares at the item lying inside and I watch as his eyes light up and my favorite smile spreads across his face. He lifts the chain out of the box and the dog tags swing freely in the air in front of his face. I can tell he’s inspecting the engraving. I had them put his name on one and his parent’s names on the other. He drops the box, not caring that it falls to the floorboard of the car so that he can slip the chain over his head. The tags lay perfectly against his chest, right by his heart.
    “God Wyn, this is the best gift I’ve ever received.” He turns his smile to me.
    “I’m glad you like it.” I say, returning his smile. His eyes hold mine, but eventually they drop to the present still resting, un-open, in my hand.
    “Open yours.” He pushes.
    I turn my attention to the box so I can carefully peel away the silver and gold wrapping paper. I lift the lid off the little white box; inside sits a small, white gold four leaf clover charm on a white gold chain. I feel the smile cross my face and I turn it to Linc.
    “I love it, Linc. Thank you.”
    He grabs the chain out of the box and tells me. “Turn around. I’ll help you put it on.”
    I turn so I’m looking out the passenger window and twist my hair up in my hands so it’s off my neck.
    “My father says we can all use a little extra luck. So when I saw this, I knew I wanted to be the one to give you yours.” He whispers his explanation as he slips the cool chain against my throat and fastens it. His fingers brush the back of my neck so gently that it causes a shiver to run through me. He pulls his hand away, refusing to acknowledge my body’s reaction to his touch.
    I release my hair and turn back around so we’re facing each other.
    “Do you have something that brings you extra luck?” I ask quietly.
    He turns to face the windshield and runs his hand over the leather of his steering wheel. “I think my car is what brings me my extra luck.”
    “What kind of good luck has she brought you?”
    “Well…” He pauses, considering his answer. I’m praying he doesn’t tell me about all the girls he’s caught in the back seat of this car. He finally continues. “Last month, I was standing beside her, listening to my cousin rattle on, when all of a sudden I caught sight of this girl propped up against a tree reading. She was so beautiful that she took my breath away and I knew I wanted nothing more than to get to know her, so I could be near her.” He lets go of the steering wheel and slowly turns back so we’re facing each other. The heated look in his eyes has me itching to reach out and pull his mouth to mine, but I can barely breathe, let alone move to take that step. His hand snakes hesitantly out, wrapping itself around a handful of my curls. He sighs. “So I think that little extra luck she provides me is what gave me the good sense to look in the right direction to find you.”
    “Linc.” His name comes across my lips as a soft moan; it doesn’t even sound like me saying it. The voice is sensual and needy. Something I’ve never considered myself, but at this moment, staring at his lips, I know I definitely am.
    “Wyn, I want to kiss you.” He whispers, his eyes dropping to my lips.
    “Oh, please do.” I sigh in response.
    He releases my hair to